The bogle I created is intentionally anti-bogle, seeing as it was created to serve a different purpose. I recently read an article about the arms race between "xerox" and "prison" in eternal formats and I wanted to see if I could design one card that works a tech against each archetype:
1. The baloth (especially v1) is meant to be anti-thoughtseize/IoK tech. I'm not too sure why triggered abilities can't work from the hand if activated abilities such as cycle and forecast can. A mandatory trigger wouldn't work as players could hide the fact that they have an ability to trigger but an optional trigger that reveals the card as part of the ability (such as by discarding it) doesn't encounter the normal obstacles.
2. The bogle was designed to take down all prison decks as it literally ignores all non-permanent removal spells. No edicts, no wraths, no terminus, no bounce, no counters,no burn, no swords/path. You take it down with either combat or something like executioner's capsule. Seeing as there are some major decks that basically have no out to this bogle, letting it hold auras like its kin seemed to be a bit overboard. Do you guys really think it is warranted here?
Guardian Baloth
Creature- Beast Spirit
If a spell or ability an opponent controls causes you to discard Guardian Baloth, put it onto the battlefield instead of putting it into your graveyard.
Whenever a spell or ability an opponent controls causes you to discard one or more other cards, you may discard Guardian Baloth from your hand. If you do, draw a card and return one card you have discarded this turn from your graveyard to your hand.
4/5
OR
Guardian Baloth v2
Creature- Beast Spirit
Whenever a spell or ability an opponent controls causes you to discard guardian baloth, you may draw two cards.
Whenever a spell or ability an opponent controls causes you to discard one or more cards, you may discard Guardian Baloth from your hand. If you do, draw three cards.
4/4
Elusive Bogle
Creature- Bogle
Elusive Bogle can't be countered.
Whenever an opponent casts a spell, you may exile Elusive Bogle until the beginning of the next end step.
3/3
I'll admit that the mana bases don't bother me as much. Putting out a bunch of good lands reduces their value in the case of a reprint... if you are expecting reprints soon.
Last year, we had fastlands from kaladesh. I don't expect blooming marsh to be reprinted any time soon so giving us one in the snek.dec doesn't mean much. Likewise to the four spire of industries in the vehicle deck and the aether hub.
Checklands and shocklands have seen multiple printings, meanwhile, and hemmorhaging value of future reprints may be a bit more of a concern.
I am not so surprised by the lack of teferi/azcanta/nexus for a few reasons.
1. These decks are designed to be played at FNM and nexus is notoriously miserable to play against. Wizards would be shooting itself in the foot if they sent dozens of new nexus players to LGSs.
2. While it isn't on a reserved list, wizards has yet to reprint any exclusive buy-a-box promo and doing so would have a measure of risk in terms of investor anger and perceived value of these promos (which may mean nothing to you but need to be considered).
3. Without nexus, teferi (and azcanta by extension) don't really have a designated home in standard. While wizards could have given us turbo fog without nexus (using Karn's sundering instead), that would lead to more nexus decks at FNM AND anger among players that demand (and price) for nexus are shooting up (AKA the worst of both worlds).
...why do literally all of these decks have fewer rares/mythics than literally all of the challenger decks from last year?
I mean, part of that is the meta but this decks are actively missing rares that the decks want (loxodon, risk factor, contempt, steam vents) instead of including them as a 1-of or 2-of.
Mind you, I understand that wizards did not possess the data to predict what three color decks would break through and didn't know what wild reclamation would do to the meta. I understand wizards not wanting to push a whole bunch of agonizing nexus decks into FNM events everywhere. I understand not wanting to include a third control/midrange deck. Even so, the decks seem... unimpressive.
Yes, they couldn't intirelly predict. But those cards that are missing were easilly predictable and must have in these archtypes.
This isn't even about "predicting". the white deck was based off of a specific deck list (linked to in the wizards article) that HAD the Loxodon (and 30+ rares in the 75). Saying that these were just rough guesses is disengenuous at best.
Instead of giving you the full deck that just wants some additional copies of cards, they are leaving out cards entirely... which kinda defeats the purpose of the product
...why do literally all of these decks have fewer rares/mythics than literally all of the challenger decks from last year?
I mean, part of that is the meta but this decks are actively missing rares that the decks want (loxodon, risk factor, contempt, steam vents) instead of including them as a 1-of or 2-of.
Mind you, I understand that wizards did not possess the data to predict what three color decks would break through and didn't know what wild reclamation would do to the meta. I understand wizards not wanting to push a whole bunch of agonizing nexus decks into FNM events everywhere. I understand not wanting to include a third control/midrange deck. Even so, the decks seem... unimpressive.
The odd thing is that I would have nothing to complain about if they had added just two more rares to each deck (loxodons to white, risk factors to red, steam vents to izzet, and contempts to golgari). The current meta doesn't seem as rare-reliant as it was last year and leaving playsets incomplete so we go out and get more cards is completely understandable. Leaving out a rare entirely that is known to be important for the deck... kind of defeats the point of the product.
So... the vehicla deck last year had over 30 rares/mythics.
This year, we don't break 15 rares in any of the decks. While rarity isn't the be-all end-all for power, this decrease saddens me.
...I do appreciate the mono red deck, I guess.
I don't appreciate the lack of Vraska's contempt, big t-rex, or Teferi. I dislike that one of the multi-color decks didn't come with a shock-land. I dislike the lack of risk factor in the red deck. I dislike the lack of loxodon in the white deck.
...I feel a bit disappointed... but also feel that my complaints are kind of minor things. My wallet will speak when I've worked things out.
Edit: literally all of the decks this year have fewer rares than literally all of the decks last year. I get that part of this is the meta but... what happened here?
Thanks for the feedback. As I hinted at the very top of my post, I've been thinking of cards from a commander angle (imagining them in a deck that would dodge both standard and modern.
Unchecked looters was designed to compete in an eternal card pool, where a 3-drop that breaks even on the turn you play is... less than impressive. It was designed as a recurring card advantage engine as red doesn't have a real analog for cards like Rhystic Study, Dark Confidant, Mentor of the Meek, or Sylvan Library... not that this card stands up against the others (recurring card advantage isn't red's main thing, after all). Even so, red deserves something beyond outpost siege?
Similarly, this is why cards like Brassjaw and rake the coals may seem to cost of bit much. Red typically doesn't get this sort of graveyard-based value engine (and value engines are one of the few things that really work in multiplayer) so it felt like it shouldn't get anything as cost-efficient as the other colors get. I just wanted to give red something. Ring of Fire was originally a spell... and has been restored as such. Fickle Favor's wording has been fixed. Afterglow has had its price reduced. Utter Mayhem... Good points all around. Don't want to add additional layers upon layers and I could see this as more of a big green effect.
Turned daros to converted mana cost as recommended.
In regards to Ava, I suppose that a mass Alesha affect can feel either Boros or Rakdos. Cards like Rally the Ancestors and Marshal's Anthem make me feel that the effect can be boros (though it would feel a lot more black if you got to keep the creatures afterwards).
I think that people are overblowing what would be reprinted here... if only a little. Wizards will probably dredge up a few filler cards to fill out any draft archetypes that it is trying to push. If wizards pushes cycling, we'll probably get Krosan Tusker or Stoic Champion to go with our Astral Slide. If wizards pushes tribal, we'll probably get sparksmith to stand by our goblin recruiter. I keep hearing that about 50 of the cards are going to be reprints and I still expect to see some degree of chaff (at least by modern standards).
Actually... let me see if I can assemble a list of 52 cards that I think could reasonably be reprinted in the set to support a couple of themes (cycling and tribal for my purposes), fill out a couple of cycles, and maintain a rough color balance.
1. Astral Slide: One of the primary reasons for including cycling as a main theme. I doubt that it would do much to the modern scene but it would be fun to test out.
2. Battle Screech: A decently powered card to throw around tokens. Works with cards like Triplicate Spirits and Lingering Souls to pump out the fliers fast.
3. Catapult Squad: White hasn't had much in the way of quality tribal cards (especiallly pre-8th) so let's go with one of the better soldier cards. The idea of throwing down Raise the Alarm and killing something out of the blue is fun... but not particularly strong.
4. Containment Priest: Primo sideboard material against unfair decks.
5. Decree of Justice: Uncounterable soldier tokens (fitting with the tribal theme) on a cycling card checks all of the boxes for this set. If cycling is a theme, I think that this might be our cycle of rare reprints... (though the avatar cycle from prophecy is possible if this set lacks cycling)
6. Mobilization: The other halfway decent soldier support card (the warchief and catapult master are too expensive)... and I still don't expect it to do anything.
7. Recruiter of the Guard: A reasonably priced tutor with a relevant creature type (Soldier).
8. Soulcatcher: Another card to be combined with Lingering souls and the like. I doubt that it would get anywhere but it's fun to consider.
9. Arcane Artisan: I generally love the design of this card as it provides a slower and more fragile version of the sort of degenerate effects Modern is known for. It's no show and tell but this is the closest that we might get in modern.
10. Cloud of Faeries: Helps spellstutter sprite and fits into the cycling theme of the set. Otherwise, it's a free 1/1.
11. Counterspell: Feels like a pretty safe inclusion on this list.
12. Decree of Silence: Filling out that cycle (heh) of cards.
13. Fact or Fiction: The other envelop-pushing card they may slot into blue.
14. Information Dealer: Just a filler wizard tribal card.
15. Patron Wizard OR Riptide Laboratory: I'm honestly not sure which one is safer for modern. Reusing a spellstutter or clique is pretty mean... but tapping them right as they arrive to counter something is gross. Still leaning toward the Patron Wizard as it is easier to destroy.
16. Carrion Feeder: Free sac outlet and relevant creature type gets my attention. I almost went for Putrid Imp but the thought of what that does for dredge made me throw up in my mouth a little.
17. Decree of Pain: Filling out that cycle (har) of cards.
18 Innocent Blood: Fair destruction for one Diabolic Edict is still possible, though I'm rooting for this card.
19. Oubliette: Look. It was mentioned in a video that wizards had plans to reprint oubliette in the future not long before Modern Horizons was announced. Can't blame a guy for reaching some conclusions.
20. Toxic Deluge: Another kill spell with some modern potential.
21. Undead Gladiator: A cycling creature with a relevant creature type.
22. Zombie Master: A card that could make modern zombies a real contender (especially with urborg).
23. Beetleback Chief: A reasonable goblin to help throw out bodies.
24. Decree of Annihilation: Filling the cycle (hoho) of cards.
25. Flametongue Kavu: Completely reasonable card by modern standards and an excellent callback.
26. Goblin Bombardment: Like Carrion Crawler, this is a good (and cheap) sac engien that can use all of the tokens goblisn produce (synergizes with the beetleback chief).
27. Goblin Matron: Solid goblin that would give the deck gas without overpowering it.
28. Lightning Rift: Another payoff card for cycling as having just one wouldn't be enough for a limited format (hoping that wizards would produce a green one as one of the new cards in the set to complete the cycle).
29. Sparksmith: A reasonable tribal inclusion.
30. Argothian Enchantress: A decently priced enchantment engine that protects itself. I feel that this is marginally more likely than the Grove (which would make boggles a nightmare) or Presence (which was reprinted in commander last year).
31 Bind: A more reasonable stifle variant that lets players pop their first fetch without too much worrying.
32. Bloodline Shaman: A reasonable tribal card in general that happens to be an elf.
33. Decree of Savagery: The cycle (ugh) of cards is completed.
34. Krosan Tusker: A simple common that cycles for profit.
35. Muscle Sliver: Because it's about darn time.
36. Timberwatch Elf: A reasonable elf to support the tribal theme.
37. Wild Growth: More enchantress support.
38. Wirewood Symbiote: While this card is pretty darn powerful, it feels a bit safer than wellwisher and priest of titania. In a world where the big mana comes from tapping 3 creatures (heritage) or a 3-drop (archdruid), I fele that this thing could see print.
39. Aura Shards Just a pet choice for my personal preferences. Realistically, something a bit more general like Gerrard's Verdict could fill this slot.
40. Crystalline Sliver: Another awesome sliver that we need from the past.
41. Hibernation Sliver: Yet another sliver that is greatly needed and appreciated.
42. Pernicious Deed: Excellent destruction that half of this forum seems to be expecting.
43. Psychatog: Iconic card that takes advantage of cycled cards in your grave.
44. Vindicate: It's about tiem that this thing entered the modern card pool. I don't think that a 3-mana kill spell with one target is going to upset too many people.
45. Fluctuator: A missing piece of the cycling deck that nobody seems to be recommending so far.
46. Rishadan Port: A fair way to stop greedy mana-bases.
47. Thran Quarry: A reasonably powerful card to help with mana fixing.
48-52: Drifting Meadow, Polluted Mire, Remote Isle, Slippery Karst, Smoldering Crater: While the one-mana cycling cards are certainly more powerful, colorless cycling makes it easier to sort through colors (which is a boon for limited environements)... and these ones work really well with that fluctuator.
Honestly, I don't even expect things to be quite as good as that list. I think we'll get some gems and much-needed support but... well... the draft format will probably come first (even among the 50-something reprints).
I don't know why I've been so big on red and white commander cards for the past couple of weeks but I think that I've just about got it out of my system. Just wanted to put up a couple of possible engine pieces, random tech, and indirect enchantment hate that doesn't pulverize the color wheel.
Afterglow
Enchantment (M)
Exile target nontoken creature you control: create a creature token that is a copy of that card except it has haste and “At the beginning of your end step, sacrifice this creature”. Glory is fleeting. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Rake the Embers
Enchantment (M)
At the beginning of your combat step, exile a random creature card in your graveyard. Create a creature token that is a copy of that card, except it gains haste and is an elemental in addition to its other types.
At the beginning of your end step, sacrifice an elemental.
Brassjaw the Junker
Legendary Creature- Goblin Artificer (R)
At the beginning of your upkeep, target opponent searches your library for an artifact card and puts it into your graveyard, then shuffle your library.
Sacrifice Brassjaw the Junker: choose four target artifact cards in your graveyard. Return one of those cards of an opponent’s choice to the battlefield.
3/3
Rekindled Efforts
Enchantment (M)
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, return another instant or sorcery spell with a lower converted mana cost from your graveyard to your hand. Cards with costs that contain can’t be returned in this way.
Ghitu Coaltender
Creature- Human Shaman (U)
When Ghitu Coaltender dies, you may return target sorcery card from your graveyard to your hand.
1/1 ”How can you claim to know about fire when you’ve never watched it gutter and die?”
Fickle Favor
Sorcery (R)
Reveal the cards in your library. Each opponent chooses from among them a nonland cards with different names. You put the chosen cards into your hand. Then shuffle your library. It’s the thought that counts.
Utter Mayhem
Enchantment (M)
Other nonland permanents lose all abilities.
Warpstutter
Instant (R)
Two target permanents one player controls become copies of each other until end of turn. ”And for a brief moment, the painting was examining me…”
Ring of Fire
Sorcery (R)
Ring of fire deals X damage to each of X target creatures. Each of those creatures deals X damage to their controller.
Unchecked Looters
Creature- Human Rogue (R)
At the beginning of each end step, if no creature have attacked this turn, discard a card at random and draw two cards.
3/2 When the guards are away, the looters will play.
When you tap that goblin artillery, it deals a total of 5 damage (3 to yourself and 2 to a target) so you gain 5 life (for a net of +2 life). The damage dealt to you by seizures, however, does not lead to any lifegain (it's the enchantment dealing the damage, not the goblin). Unless you pay that extra mana, you take 3 points of damage (leading to a net effect of 1 damage to you).
Sorry guys the gatewatch (power rangers mtg edition) is not ending anytime soon
So the gatewatch will still be around for the nex villain/phyrexians
Why does everyone assume that "Maybe :)" = Yes?
In the context of a normal conversation, I would 100% agree that the speaker is being coy and definitely means yes. For Mark Rosewater and his blog, however, "Maybe :)" is a default answer given to anything that doesn't have a definite no to it (Here's an example).
When asked if we'll get oath cards: "Maybe :)"
When asked if we might see the missing 5 swords of X and Y in Modern Horizons. "Maybe :)"
When asked this year if we'll get Kraken Tribal: "Maybe :)"
When asked if any vehicles will be printed in the next year: "Maybe :)"
When asked if Modern Horizons will have cards that combine keywords from several sets on one card: "Maybe :)"
When asked if we will get a crab lord: "Maybe :)"
When asked if we get an un-set with a Dessert theme: "Maybe :)"
Call me crazy but I kind of doubt that we are going to get all of these things. In fact, Mark has stated that he sometimes says "Maybe :)" on things that are definitely "No". Look for yourself
So yeah... players need to stop treating Mark's magical "Maybe :)" as a definite yes.
With that said, I feel that Mark really shouldn't have taken that question about the oaths at all. Given that people take his "Maybe :)" as a prophetic "Yes", giving that answer (instead of ignoring it and taking a better question) will lead some to believe that the plot has been spoiled... though the Chandra comic kind of did that already in this case).
1. The baloth (especially v1) is meant to be anti-thoughtseize/IoK tech. I'm not too sure why triggered abilities can't work from the hand if activated abilities such as cycle and forecast can. A mandatory trigger wouldn't work as players could hide the fact that they have an ability to trigger but an optional trigger that reveals the card as part of the ability (such as by discarding it) doesn't encounter the normal obstacles.
2. The bogle was designed to take down all prison decks as it literally ignores all non-permanent removal spells. No edicts, no wraths, no terminus, no bounce, no counters,no burn, no swords/path. You take it down with either combat or something like executioner's capsule. Seeing as there are some major decks that basically have no out to this bogle, letting it hold auras like its kin seemed to be a bit overboard. Do you guys really think it is warranted here?
Guardian Baloth
Creature- Beast Spirit
If a spell or ability an opponent controls causes you to discard Guardian Baloth, put it onto the battlefield instead of putting it into your graveyard.
Whenever a spell or ability an opponent controls causes you to discard one or more other cards, you may discard Guardian Baloth from your hand. If you do, draw a card and return one card you have discarded this turn from your graveyard to your hand.
4/5
OR
Guardian Baloth v2
Creature- Beast Spirit
Whenever a spell or ability an opponent controls causes you to discard guardian baloth, you may draw two cards.
Whenever a spell or ability an opponent controls causes you to discard one or more cards, you may discard Guardian Baloth from your hand. If you do, draw three cards.
4/4
Elusive Bogle
Creature- Bogle
Elusive Bogle can't be countered.
Whenever an opponent casts a spell, you may exile Elusive Bogle until the beginning of the next end step.
3/3
Last year, we had fastlands from kaladesh. I don't expect blooming marsh to be reprinted any time soon so giving us one in the snek.dec doesn't mean much. Likewise to the four spire of industries in the vehicle deck and the aether hub.
Checklands and shocklands have seen multiple printings, meanwhile, and hemmorhaging value of future reprints may be a bit more of a concern.
I don't know. Maybe I'm backwards on this
1. These decks are designed to be played at FNM and nexus is notoriously miserable to play against. Wizards would be shooting itself in the foot if they sent dozens of new nexus players to LGSs.
2. While it isn't on a reserved list, wizards has yet to reprint any exclusive buy-a-box promo and doing so would have a measure of risk in terms of investor anger and perceived value of these promos (which may mean nothing to you but need to be considered).
3. Without nexus, teferi (and azcanta by extension) don't really have a designated home in standard. While wizards could have given us turbo fog without nexus (using Karn's sundering instead), that would lead to more nexus decks at FNM AND anger among players that demand (and price) for nexus are shooting up (AKA the worst of both worlds).
So... yeah. Not surprised.
This isn't even about "predicting". the white deck was based off of a specific deck list (linked to in the wizards article) that HAD the Loxodon (and 30+ rares in the 75). Saying that these were just rough guesses is disengenuous at best.
Instead of giving you the full deck that just wants some additional copies of cards, they are leaving out cards entirely... which kinda defeats the purpose of the product
I mean, part of that is the meta but this decks are actively missing rares that the decks want (loxodon, risk factor, contempt, steam vents) instead of including them as a 1-of or 2-of.
Mind you, I understand that wizards did not possess the data to predict what three color decks would break through and didn't know what wild reclamation would do to the meta. I understand wizards not wanting to push a whole bunch of agonizing nexus decks into FNM events everywhere. I understand not wanting to include a third control/midrange deck. Even so, the decks seem... unimpressive.
This year, we don't break 15 rares in any of the decks. While rarity isn't the be-all end-all for power, this decrease saddens me.
...I do appreciate the mono red deck, I guess.
I don't appreciate the lack of Vraska's contempt, big t-rex, or Teferi. I dislike that one of the multi-color decks didn't come with a shock-land. I dislike the lack of risk factor in the red deck. I dislike the lack of loxodon in the white deck.
...I feel a bit disappointed... but also feel that my complaints are kind of minor things. My wallet will speak when I've worked things out.
Edit: literally all of the decks this year have fewer rares than literally all of the decks last year. I get that part of this is the meta but... what happened here?
Unchecked looters was designed to compete in an eternal card pool, where a 3-drop that breaks even on the turn you play is... less than impressive. It was designed as a recurring card advantage engine as red doesn't have a real analog for cards like Rhystic Study, Dark Confidant, Mentor of the Meek, or Sylvan Library... not that this card stands up against the others (recurring card advantage isn't red's main thing, after all). Even so, red deserves something beyond outpost siege?
Similarly, this is why cards like Brassjaw and rake the coals may seem to cost of bit much. Red typically doesn't get this sort of graveyard-based value engine (and value engines are one of the few things that really work in multiplayer) so it felt like it shouldn't get anything as cost-efficient as the other colors get. I just wanted to give red something.
Ring of Fire was originally a
Fickle Favor's wording has been fixed.
Afterglow has had its price reduced.
Utter Mayhem... Good points all around. Don't want to add additional layers upon layers and I could see this as more of a big green effect.
In regards to Ava, I suppose that a mass Alesha affect can feel either Boros or Rakdos. Cards like Rally the Ancestors and Marshal's Anthem make me feel that the effect can be boros (though it would feel a lot more black if you got to keep the creatures afterwards).
Actually... let me see if I can assemble a list of 52 cards that I think could reasonably be reprinted in the set to support a couple of themes (cycling and tribal for my purposes), fill out a couple of cycles, and maintain a rough color balance.
1. Astral Slide: One of the primary reasons for including cycling as a main theme. I doubt that it would do much to the modern scene but it would be fun to test out.
2. Battle Screech: A decently powered card to throw around tokens. Works with cards like Triplicate Spirits and Lingering Souls to pump out the fliers fast.
3. Catapult Squad: White hasn't had much in the way of quality tribal cards (especiallly pre-8th) so let's go with one of the better soldier cards. The idea of throwing down Raise the Alarm and killing something out of the blue is fun... but not particularly strong.
4. Containment Priest: Primo sideboard material against unfair decks.
5. Decree of Justice: Uncounterable soldier tokens (fitting with the tribal theme) on a cycling card checks all of the boxes for this set. If cycling is a theme, I think that this might be our cycle of rare reprints... (though the avatar cycle from prophecy is possible if this set lacks cycling)
6. Mobilization: The other halfway decent soldier support card (the warchief and catapult master are too expensive)... and I still don't expect it to do anything.
7. Recruiter of the Guard: A reasonably priced tutor with a relevant creature type (Soldier).
8. Soulcatcher: Another card to be combined with Lingering souls and the like. I doubt that it would get anywhere but it's fun to consider.
9. Arcane Artisan: I generally love the design of this card as it provides a slower and more fragile version of the sort of degenerate effects Modern is known for. It's no show and tell but this is the closest that we might get in modern.
10. Cloud of Faeries: Helps spellstutter sprite and fits into the cycling theme of the set. Otherwise, it's a free 1/1.
11. Counterspell: Feels like a pretty safe inclusion on this list.
12. Decree of Silence: Filling out that cycle (heh) of cards.
13. Fact or Fiction: The other envelop-pushing card they may slot into blue.
14. Information Dealer: Just a filler wizard tribal card.
15. Patron Wizard OR Riptide Laboratory: I'm honestly not sure which one is safer for modern. Reusing a spellstutter or clique is pretty mean... but tapping them right as they arrive to counter something is gross. Still leaning toward the Patron Wizard as it is easier to destroy.
16. Carrion Feeder: Free sac outlet and relevant creature type gets my attention. I almost went for Putrid Imp but the thought of what that does for dredge made me throw up in my mouth a little.
17. Decree of Pain: Filling out that cycle (har) of cards.
18 Innocent Blood: Fair destruction for one Diabolic Edict is still possible, though I'm rooting for this card.
19. Oubliette: Look. It was mentioned in a video that wizards had plans to reprint oubliette in the future not long before Modern Horizons was announced. Can't blame a guy for reaching some conclusions.
20. Toxic Deluge: Another kill spell with some modern potential.
21. Undead Gladiator: A cycling creature with a relevant creature type.
22. Zombie Master: A card that could make modern zombies a real contender (especially with urborg).
23. Beetleback Chief: A reasonable goblin to help throw out bodies.
24. Decree of Annihilation: Filling the cycle (hoho) of cards.
25. Flametongue Kavu: Completely reasonable card by modern standards and an excellent callback.
26. Goblin Bombardment: Like Carrion Crawler, this is a good (and cheap) sac engien that can use all of the tokens goblisn produce (synergizes with the beetleback chief).
27. Goblin Matron: Solid goblin that would give the deck gas without overpowering it.
28. Lightning Rift: Another payoff card for cycling as having just one wouldn't be enough for a limited format (hoping that wizards would produce a green one as one of the new cards in the set to complete the cycle).
29. Sparksmith: A reasonable tribal inclusion.
30. Argothian Enchantress: A decently priced enchantment engine that protects itself. I feel that this is marginally more likely than the Grove (which would make boggles a nightmare) or Presence (which was reprinted in commander last year).
31 Bind: A more reasonable stifle variant that lets players pop their first fetch without too much worrying.
32. Bloodline Shaman: A reasonable tribal card in general that happens to be an elf.
33. Decree of Savagery: The cycle (ugh) of cards is completed.
34. Krosan Tusker: A simple common that cycles for profit.
35. Muscle Sliver: Because it's about darn time.
36. Timberwatch Elf: A reasonable elf to support the tribal theme.
37. Wild Growth: More enchantress support.
38. Wirewood Symbiote: While this card is pretty darn powerful, it feels a bit safer than wellwisher and priest of titania. In a world where the big mana comes from tapping 3 creatures (heritage) or a 3-drop (archdruid), I fele that this thing could see print.
39. Aura Shards Just a pet choice for my personal preferences. Realistically, something a bit more general like Gerrard's Verdict could fill this slot.
40. Crystalline Sliver: Another awesome sliver that we need from the past.
41. Hibernation Sliver: Yet another sliver that is greatly needed and appreciated.
42. Pernicious Deed: Excellent destruction that half of this forum seems to be expecting.
43. Psychatog: Iconic card that takes advantage of cycled cards in your grave.
44. Vindicate: It's about tiem that this thing entered the modern card pool. I don't think that a 3-mana kill spell with one target is going to upset too many people.
45. Fluctuator: A missing piece of the cycling deck that nobody seems to be recommending so far.
46. Rishadan Port: A fair way to stop greedy mana-bases.
47. Thran Quarry: A reasonably powerful card to help with mana fixing.
48-52: Drifting Meadow, Polluted Mire, Remote Isle, Slippery Karst, Smoldering Crater: While the one-mana cycling cards are certainly more powerful, colorless cycling makes it easier to sort through colors (which is a boon for limited environements)... and these ones work really well with that fluctuator.
Honestly, I don't even expect things to be quite as good as that list. I think we'll get some gems and much-needed support but... well... the draft format will probably come first (even among the 50-something reprints).
Afterglow
Enchantment (M)
Exile target nontoken creature you control: create a creature token that is a copy of that card except it has haste and “At the beginning of your end step, sacrifice this creature”.
Glory is fleeting. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Rake the Embers
Enchantment (M)
At the beginning of your combat step, exile a random creature card in your graveyard. Create a creature token that is a copy of that card, except it gains haste and is an elemental in addition to its other types.
At the beginning of your end step, sacrifice an elemental.
Brassjaw the Junker
Legendary Creature- Goblin Artificer (R)
At the beginning of your upkeep, target opponent searches your library for an artifact card and puts it into your graveyard, then shuffle your library.
Sacrifice Brassjaw the Junker: choose four target artifact cards in your graveyard. Return one of those cards of an opponent’s choice to the battlefield.
3/3
Rekindled Efforts
Enchantment (M)
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, return another instant or sorcery spell with a lower converted mana cost from your graveyard to your hand. Cards with costs that contain
Ghitu Coaltender
Creature- Human Shaman (U)
When Ghitu Coaltender dies, you may return target sorcery card from your graveyard to your hand.
1/1
”How can you claim to know about fire when you’ve never watched it gutter and die?”
Fickle Favor
Sorcery (R)
Reveal the cards in your library. Each opponent chooses from among them a nonland cards with different names. You put the chosen cards into your hand. Then shuffle your library.
It’s the thought that counts.
Utter Mayhem
Enchantment (M)
Other nonland permanents lose all abilities.
Warpstutter
Instant (R)
Two target permanents one player controls become copies of each other until end of turn.
”And for a brief moment, the painting was examining me…”
Ring of Fire
Sorcery (R)
Ring of fire deals X damage to each of X target creatures. Each of those creatures deals X damage to their controller.
Unchecked Looters
Creature- Human Rogue (R)
At the beginning of each end step, if no creature have attacked this turn, discard a card at random and draw two cards.
3/2
When the guards are away, the looters will play.
To start, Spirit Link cannot enchant Seizures as it is not a creature. Instead, both Seizures and Spirit Link are both enchanting Goblin Artillery
When you tap that goblin artillery, it deals a total of 5 damage (3 to yourself and 2 to a target) so you gain 5 life (for a net of +2 life). The damage dealt to you by seizures, however, does not lead to any lifegain (it's the enchantment dealing the damage, not the goblin). Unless you pay that extra mana, you take 3 points of damage (leading to a net effect of 1 damage to you).
Why does everyone assume that "Maybe :)" = Yes?
In the context of a normal conversation, I would 100% agree that the speaker is being coy and definitely means yes. For Mark Rosewater and his blog, however, "Maybe :)" is a default answer given to anything that doesn't have a definite no to it (Here's an example).
When asked if we'll get oath cards: "Maybe :)"
When asked if we might see the missing 5 swords of X and Y in Modern Horizons. "Maybe :)"
When asked this year if we'll get Kraken Tribal: "Maybe :)"
When asked if any vehicles will be printed in the next year: "Maybe :)"
When asked if Modern Horizons will have cards that combine keywords from several sets on one card: "Maybe :)"
When asked if we will get a crab lord: "Maybe :)"
When asked if we get an un-set with a Dessert theme: "Maybe :)"
Call me crazy but I kind of doubt that we are going to get all of these things. In fact, Mark has stated that he sometimes says "Maybe :)" on things that are definitely "No". Look for yourself
So yeah... players need to stop treating Mark's magical "Maybe :)" as a definite yes.
With that said, I feel that Mark really shouldn't have taken that question about the oaths at all. Given that people take his "Maybe :)" as a prophetic "Yes", giving that answer (instead of ignoring it and taking a better question) will lead some to believe that the plot has been spoiled... though the Chandra comic kind of did that already in this case).
Arabian Nights is already a set, friend.